It would be nice if
those pundits who constantly claim that the gridlock problem in Washington is equally
the result of Republicans and Democrats would finally shut up. If they do not see the one sided nature of
the problem after Mr. Obama’s announcement that his budget will propose changes
in Social Security that the Republicans want, then maybe nothing will make them
view reality.
Mr. Obama is going to propose that a different cost of
living factor be used in future SS benefit computations. This will reduce future benefits and improve
the fiscal viability of the Social Security Trust Fund, something Republicans
have been demanding and it will do it in a way that Republicans have
supported. But nothing
the President proposes, even if it is what Republicans stand for is, will
the Republicans stand for.
Republicans quickly dismissed that idea, noting that the C.P.I. change
also raises some revenue for the treasury and should not be used as an excuse
for other tax increases. Mr. Boehner said that the president had “never lived
up to his rhetoric” about being willing to cut entitlement programs.
“In reality, he’s moved in the wrong direction, routinely taking off the
table entitlement reforms he’s previously told me he could support,” Mr.
Boehner said in the statement. “That’s no way to lead and move the country
forward.”
One can only hope that Mr. Obama was not so naïve that he
actually expected Republicans to support the policy that Republicans
support. So maybe the President is
making his proposal in order to demonstrate to the country that Republicans
will not accept yes for an answer, will not work with the President and are
only in Washington
to obstruct. If the country doesn’t
understand this now, it probably never will.
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